Shower door assembly

ABSTRACT

A shower door assembly is provided comprising a stationary frame, a movable frame having at least one through hole, and at least one adjusting assembly, wherein each of the at least one adjusting assembly comprises a fixing block located between the stationary frame and the movable frame, and receivable in the stationary frame, the fixing block having a channel, a deformable element receivable in the channel of the fixing block, and a fastening element passing through the through hole of the movable frame to connect with the deformable element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENT

This application claims priority benefit from Chinese utility modelapplication No. 201320099211.6 filed on Mar. 05, 2013 in the name ofFoshan Ideal Co. Ltd., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its integrity.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shower door assembly, in particular,to the mounting of the shower door assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional shower doors are normally mounted to a wall surface bydrilling on the stationary and movable frames and then connecting bothframes using fasteners. This procedure is very inconvenient andtime-consuming. Furthermore, the drilling operation may cause damages orscores to the frames, usually made of aluminum or its alloys, which isnot acceptable for users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a shower door assemblythat is able to be easily assembled without the need of drilling or anyother tools.

To achieve the object, a shower door assembly is provided whichcomprises a stationary frame, a movable frame having at least onethrough hole, and at least one adjusting assembly, wherein each of theat least one adjusting assembly comprises a fixing block located betweenthe stationary frame and the movable frame, and receivable in thestationary frame, the fixing block having a channel, a deformableelement receivable in the channel of the fixing block, and a fasteningelement passing through the through hole of the movable frame to connectwith the deformable element.

In the present invention, the fastening element controls the deformationof the deformable element. The deformed deformable element compressesthe inner surface of the channel of the fixing block to firmly engagewith it. As the other end of the deformable element is connected withthe fastening element which passes through the through hole of themovable frame, the above engagement can fix the relative position of themovable frame and the stationary frame, so as to attach the movableframe to the wall surface.

The fastening element can control the deformation of the deformableelement in many ways. In one embodiment of the present invention, thedeformable element has a slot, and the fastening element comprises apulling rod received in the slot. The deformable element is deformed bythe movement of the pulling rod along the slot.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the deformable element has afront edge with a cross-section larger than a cross-section of thethrough hole of the movable frame. The front edge locates at one end ofthe deformable element and engages with one side of the movable frame,preventing the deformable element from passing through the through holeof the movable frame. A force would be applied to the deformable elementby the movement of the pulling rod in the slot, which would deform oneend of the deformable element, due to the engagement of the other end ofthe deformable element and the movable frame.

The fastening element can control the movement of the pulling rod in theslot in many ways. In one embodiment of the present invention, thefastening element further comprises an eccentric block rotatablyconnected with the pulling rod, the eccentric block and the pulling rodbeing respectively disposed at one side of the movable frame. When theeccentric block is rotated, the pulling rod would be pulled by it andmove in the slot.

The rotation of the eccentric block can be various forms of rotation,such as a rotation in parallel with the contacting surface with themovable frame, or a rotation perpendicular to the contacting surfacewith the movable frame, provided that it can push or pull the pullingrod. In one embodiment of the present invention, the eccentric blockconnects with the movable frame at an opening surface and a fasteningsurface of the eccentric block, respectively at an opening position anda fastening position, and the eccentric block is rotatably connectedwith the pulling rod by a shaft, the distance between the shaft and theopening surface being larger or smaller than the distance between theshaft and the fastening surface. As the distance between the shaft andthe opening position and the distance between the shaft and thefastening position are different, the shaft can push the pulling rod.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the deformable element has afirst hook end, the pulling rod has a second hook end, and the secondhook end engages with the first hook end at an outer side of the firsthook end. The movement of the pulling rod would make the second hook endpull the first hook end to deform the first hook end, so as to compressthe inner surface of the channel of the fixing block. To maximize thecompressing of the first hook end, in one embodiment of the presentinvention, the first hook end has a cross-section of the same size as across-section of the channel of the fixing block.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the deformable elementhas a tubular end, the pulling rod has a columnar end, and an outerdiameter of the columnar end is larger than an inner diameter of thetubular end. The movement of the pulling rod would insert the columnarend into the tubular end to deform the tubular end, so as to compressthe inner surface of the channel of the fixing block. To maximize thecompressing of the tubular end, in one embodiment of the presentinvention, the tubular end has a cross-section of the same size as across-section of the channel of the fixing block.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the tubular end has aplurality of openings. Preferably, the openings are linear openingsparallel to each other.

By using the present invention, when the shower door is assembled, thereis no need for drilling or any other particular tools. The shower doorcan be assembled or disassembled by using only one or two fasteners,especially screws. Therefore, the assembly of the shower door is veryconvenient and less time-consuming.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages and details of the present invention emerge from theexample embodiments described below, which do not limit the invention inany way, and from the drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of main parts of a shower door assemblyaccording to one example of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows another exploded view in a different direction of theshower door assembly in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an assembled view of the shower door assembly in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a working view of the shower door assembly in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of main parts of a shower door assemblyaccording to another example of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the shower door assemblyin FIG. 5.

Elements that are irrelevant to the spirit of the present invention areomitted for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exampleembodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the,” are intended to include the plural forms as well,unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, theterms “and/or” include any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” “comprising” “includes” and/or “including” when used herein,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 which show main parts of an exemplifiedshower door assembly, the shower door assembly comprises a stationaryframe 10 and a movable frame 20 having a through hole 21. The stationaryframe 10 has a U shape and a slot for mounting of glass. The shower doorassembly further comprises an adjusting assembly which mainly comprisesa fixing block 30, a deformable element 40 and a fastening element, thefastening element passing through the through hole 21 to connect withthe deformable element 40.

The stationary frame 10 is used to secure to a wall surface. Thestationary frame 10 can be attached to a wall through many ways. Thestationary frame 10 in FIG. 1 comprises a screw hole 11, such thatfasteners (such as a crew) can pass through it to fix the stationaryframe 10 to the wall. Of course, the person skilled in the art knowsother methods applicable to achieve said secure, for example, byadhesives.

The fixing block 30 is partially received within the stationary frame10. As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing block 30 comprises a through hole 32,and the stationary frame 10 comprises a screw hole 12. A fastener canpass through the through hole 32 and the screw hole 12 to connect thefixing block 30 with the stationary frame 10. The size of the fixingblock 30 should be smaller than the inner space of the stationary frame10, assuring the fixing block receivable within the stationary frame.

The fixing block 30 has a channel 31, and the deformable element 40 isreceivable in the channel 31. As shown in FIG. 2, the channel 31 is acuboid channel, the deformable element 40 has a first hook end 42, andthe cross-section of the first hook end 42 has the same size as thecross-section of the channel 31. One end of the deformable element 40that is contacting with the movable frame has a front edge 43, makingthe end of the deformable element engagable with one side of the movableframe.

The fastening element 50 comprises a pulling rod 51 and an eccentricblock 52 respectively located at one side of the movable frame androtatably connected with each other through a shaft. A slot 41 isdisposed within the deformable element 40 and the pulling rod 51 isreceivable in the slot 41. The pulling rod 51 has a second hook end 512,and the second hook end 512 engages with the first hook end 42 at anouter side of the first hook end 42.

The pulling rod 51 and an eccentric block 52 can be rotatably connectedwith each other in many ways. As shown in FIG. 1, the eccentric block 52has a pin hole 521 and a groove 522, one end of the pulling rod 51comprises a hole 511. The pulling rod passes through the slot 41 andinserts into the groove 522, such that the pulling rod 51 and aneccentric block 52 can be connected by a fastener (such as a pin)passing through the pin hole 521 and the hole 511.

With reference to FIG. 3 which shows an assembled view of the showerdoor assembly in FIG. 1, the fixing block 30 is fixed in the stationaryframe, the pulling rod (not shown) passes through the slot of thedeformable element and the through hole of the movable frame to connectwith the eccentric block 52. The deformable element 40 is fixed in themovable frame by the engagement of the first hook end and the secondhook end. When the movable frame moves towards the stationary frame, thedeformable element 40 would insert into the channel of the fixing block30.

With reference to FIG. 4 which shows a working view of the shower doorassembly in FIG. 1, (a) refers to an opening position and (b) refers toa fastening position. The eccentric block 52 has an L shape with twoarms, one arm as a handle and the other arm as a supporter when rotated.At the opening position (a), the eccentric block 52 connects with themovable frame (in dashed lines) at its opening surface, and at thefastening position (b), the eccentric block 52 connects with the movableframe at its fastening surface.

Because the distance between the shaft and the opening surface issmaller than the distance between the shaft and the fastening surface,when rotating the eccentric block, the pulling rod 51 would be pulledand move towards the movable frame, which makes the first hook end 42 bepulled by the second hook end 512 and move towards the movable frame. Asone end of the deformable element 40 is engaging with the movable frame,the first hook end 42 would be deformed. Since the first hook end 42 hasa cross-section of the same size as a cross-section of the channel, thedeformed first hook end 42 would compress the inner surface of thechannel so as to fix the deformable block inside the channel, such thatthe movable frame would be fixed to the stationary frame.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of another exemplified shower doorassembly, and FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the showerdoor assembly in FIG. 5. The shower door assembly shown in FIG. 5 isbasically the same as the shower door assembly shown in FIG. 1, exceptthat the channel 31′ of the fixing block has a cylinder shape, and thedeformable element has a tubular end 42′, the pulling rod has a columnarend 512′, the outer diameter of the columnar end 512′ is larger than theinner diameter of the tubular end 42′. The tubular end 42′ has across-section of the same size as a cross-section of the channel 31′ ofthe fixing block

Similarly to FIG. 4, when rotating the eccentric block, the pulling rod51′ would be pulled and move towards the movable frame. As thedeformable element 40′ has a front edge 43′ engagable with the movableframe, the columnar end 512′ of the pulling rod 51′ would insert intothe tubular end 42′ of the deformable element 40′ to deform the tubularend 42′. Since the tubular end 42′ has a cross-section of the same sizeas the cross-section of the channel of the fixing block, the deformedtubular end 42′ would compress the inner surface of the channel so as tofix the deformable block inside the channel, such that the movable framewould be fixed to the stationary frame.

To facilitate the deformation, the tubular end 42′ can be made ofelastic materials. To further facilitate the deformation, as shown inFIG. 6, the tubular end has a plurality of linear openings 44′ parallelto each other.

The shower door assembly in the above examples can further comprise atop frame and a bottom frame, and the eccentric block can be received inthe top frame and a bottom frame. The top frame and the bottom frame arerespectively disposed on two ends of the movable frame and perpendicularto the movable frame. The top and bottom frames can be detachablyconnected with the movable frame in appropriate ways. A glass door canbe arranged between the top and bottom frames. The top and bottom framecan guide the sliding of the glass door, protect the eccentric block andenhance its appearance.

It should be understood that various example embodiments have beendescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings in which only someexample embodiments are shown. Specific structural and functionaldetails disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes ofdescribing example embodiments. The present invention, however, may beembodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limitedto only the example embodiments set forth herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shower door assembly, comprising a stationary frame, a movable frame having at least one through hole, and at least one adjusting assembly, wherein each of the at least one adjusting assembly comprises a fixing block located between the stationary frame and the movable frame, and receivable in the stationary frame, the fixing block having a channel, a deformable element receivable in the channel of the fixing block, and a fastening element passing through the through hole of the movable frame to connect with the deformable element.
 2. The shower door assembly of claim 1, wherein the deformable element has a slot, and the fastening element comprises a pulling rod received in the slot.
 3. The shower door assembly of claim 2, wherein the deformable element has a front edge with a cross-section larger than that of the through hole of the movable frame.
 4. The shower door assembly of claim 3, wherein the fastening element further comprises an eccentric block rotatably connected with the pulling rod, the eccentric block and the pulling rod being respectively disposed at one side of the movable frame.
 5. The shower door assembly of claim 4, wherein the eccentric block connects with the movable frame at an opening surface and a fastening surface of the eccentric block, respectively at an opening position and a fastening position, and the eccentric block is rotatably connected with the pulling rod by a shaft, a distance between the shaft and the opening surface being larger or smaller than a distance between the shaft and the fastening surface.
 6. The shower door assembly of claim 5, wherein the deformable element has a first hook end, the pulling rod has a second hook end, and the second hook end engages with the first hook end at an outer side of the first hook end.
 7. The shower door assembly of claim 6, wherein the first hook end has a cross-section of the same size as that of the channel of the fixing block.
 8. The shower door assembly of claim 5, wherein the deformable element has a tubular end, the pulling rod has a columnar end, and an outer diameter of the columnar end is larger than an inner diameter of the tubular end.
 9. The shower door assembly of claim 8, wherein the tubular end has a cross-section of the same size as that of the channel of the fixing block.
 10. The shower door assembly of claim 8, wherein the tubular end has a plurality of openings. 